monuc
Mission de l'ONU en RD Congo UN Mission in DR CongoDIVISION DE L’INFORMATION PUBLIQUE
Office of the Spokesperson and Media Relations
Bureau du Porte-parole et des Relations avec les Médias
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CP/OSMR/170909
PRESS RELEASE
Alan Doss appeals to Congolese Authorities to Protect Journalists Facing Death Threat and to Accelerate Investigations and Trials of the Alleged Murderers
Bukavu 17 September – On 23 August 2009, Bruno Koko Chirambiza, journalist of Radio Star was murdered in the town of Bukavu.
Last year, in November, Didace Namujimbo was murdered, and earlier, in June 2007, Serge Maheshe was killed in the same town. Both journalists worked for Radio Okapi.
Today, the whole world is aware that three more journalists in Bukavu, all female, are facing death threat: Delphie Namuto and Caddy Adzouba of Radio Okapi and Jolly Kamuntu of Radio Maendeleo.
MONUC is seriously concerned by those death threats. It takes them very seriously especially since the murders of the other journalists in the same town have never been elucidated and those who committed them are still at large.
A free and diversified press reflecting the society different views and opinions is a prerequisite to the development of democracy. Death threats on journalists is an indication of a culture of impunity and intolerance likely to hamper efforts by the Congolese people toward a sustainable peace and sound democracy in their country.
Ending impunity is the responsibility of the legitimate Government officials in place. Nobody else. It is their duty and they are accountable before their people who have the legitimate right to demand access to reliable information which can only be made available by professional and responsible media.
“Today, I have discussed my concerns with Governor Mudherwa who shared in my worries and assured me of his personal commitment. I have been encouraged by his reaction and commitment by national authorities in this regard” said Alan Doss. “I would like somehow to call on the provincial and national judiciary officials to take the necessary actions to guaranty the safety of the journalists facing death threats to enable them to practice their profession without any obstacles” he added.
MONUC has always offered to assist the judiciary authorities with specialized services and its experts. This offer is still available. “I also call on them to speed up the legal proceedings in the cases of Serge Maheshe, Didace Namujimbo and Koko Chirambiza so that those who committed these heinous crimes are found and punished with the maximum severity the law allows” concluded Doss.
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Bureau du Porte-parole et des Relations avec les Médias
Madnodje Mounoubai, Porte – parole – mounoubai@un.org : +243 (0) 81 890 6024 ; mobile : +243 (0) 81 890 7506 LCL Jean-Paul Dietrich, Chef, Info. Publique Militaire – monuc-hq-mpio@un.org – tel. +243 81 890 7860 Lain Likota, Relations Médias– likota@un.org – tel. +243 81 890 7706
